Love Spanish food, but feel a bit overwhelmed when trying to make it at home? Well, you’re in luck because we’ve compiled a list of the best Spanish cookbooks to use if you want to get cooking at home.
Whether you already consider yourself something of an aspiring chef or you just want to switch things up, we’ve chosen the best Spanish cookbooks that will bring the best of Spain straight to your kitchen. From the basic traditional tapas and paella to Spain’s modern takes on old favorites, we’ve got you covered.
Spanish cuisine is known the world over for its delicious simplicity. But there’s no need to hop on a plane to enjoy it for yourself. While finding the absolute best restaurants in Spain is our major passion, cooking Spanish food for ourselves at home is a close second.
We have a number of dependable, quick and easy tapas recipes that we absolutely love. However, when the need for something more substantial arises, we hit the books!
Check out our picks for the best Spanish cookbooks and wow your friends and family with some delicious comida española.
— Marta Ortiz
After living outside of Spain for a few years, the author of this fantastic Spanish cookbook, Marta Ortiz, realized that although Spanish cuisine was quite popular, many people just didn’t know how to make some of the most traditional and everyday dishes.
Using the recipes of her Valencian and Navarran grandmothers, Ortiz has put together a genuinely authentic Spanish cookbook that focuses on simple dishes, fresh ingredients, and easy-to-follow instructions. With more than 100 original “abuela” recipes from a wide variety of regions across Spain, this book is sure to help you create everything from paella (5 different styles) to gazpacho and, of course, delicious ham croquettes.
The Food of Spain — Claudia Roden
No list of the best Spanish cookbooks is complete without including The Food of Spain. This massive book—the result of a whopping five years of research—is a love letter to all things Spain.
Apart from amazing, easy-to-follow recipes, you also have a comprehensive account of how the varied, complex history of Spain has influenced its cuisine. A particular hit is the chicken in almond sauce recipe (pollo en pepitoria), something we’ve prepared (and loved) time and time again.
The Real Taste of Spain — Jenny Chandler
The key to any great dish is high-quality ingredients, and the best place to find those is at a local food market! And it’s the magic of the food market tradition in Spain that takes center stage in The Real Taste of Spain by Jenny Chandler.
Focusing on simple, traditional produce, this book has a section for each of the stalls you’ll find at your local market. From shellfish to poultry to fresh fruit, there are amazing recipes to suit every taste!
Moro: The Cookbook — Sam & Sam Clark
Written by the owners of Moro Restaurant in London, Moro: The Cookbook brilliantly details the longstanding influence of the Moors on the cuisine in Spain.
The recipes in this book are amazing, and the brilliant photography makes for a wonderful read. But what sets this book apart is the detailed historical context given for each dish. Undoubtedly one of the best Spanish cookbooks we own and a great addition to any kitchen!
1080 Recipes — Simone & Inés Ortega
As the title suggests, 1080 Recipes is quite the comprehensive collection of Spanish recipes!
Known as the bible of Spanish cooking, this book covers recipes from each region of Spain. You’ll find recipes for everything from starters to delicious, flavorsome mains to desserts.
Furthermore, the simple instructions, brilliant photos, and consistently great results make this book a must-have!
The New Spanish Table — Anya von Brenzon
So much of what’s great about Spanish cuisine is its longstanding traditions, but there’s a newer side to food here, too. The New Spanish Table brilliantly captures that more modern gastronomy, while still making time for some old favorites.
Printed in brilliant color and containing a catalog of recipes and pictures that will leave your mouth watering, you won’t regret this purchase!
Update Notice: This post was updated on December 14, 2023.
Well, now that we’ve got you covered as far as the best Spanish cookbooks, why not take it one step further? Whether you’re up for learning how to Make paella in Madrid or diving deeper into tapas with a Basque Cooking Class in San Sebastian, let us help you improve your culinary skills like a true Spaniard!